Device recording a thermo-optical image of the female breast

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for recording a thermooptical image of the female breast with a casing, a thermooptical foil, a cooling box, a thermostat, an illuminating system, a digital camera, a clamping device, a contact producing device, a timing system and a release mechanism for automatic release of the digital camera.

Like a fingerprint, the vascular pattern in the female breast isindividual to every woman and under normal conditions, such patternsremain unchanged. Changes in the vascular pattern of a breast mayindicate the presence of a mammary carcinoma or other disorder.

Most conventional methods for detecting and diagnosing mammarycarcinomas within the framework of preventive medical examinations, mostfrequently mammography, incorporate the use of x-rays. These methodslead to a very limited radiation exposure for the patient. As asupplement to mammography, thermography can be used to diagnose mammarycarcinomas using skin temperature.

The prior art includes various techniques for performing diagnosis ofmammary carcinomas. In one group of methods, skin temperatures aredirectly measured on the breast. Optionally, such measurements can befurther processed electronically. WO 79/00594 and U.S. Pat. No.3,970,074 disclose apparatuses in which the breast is pressed against aplate equipped with temperature sensors arranged in a matrix-like mannerto measure skin temperature. The measured data are electronicallyprocessed and specific temperature distributions on the skin are used toindicate the presence of a mammary carcinoma. U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,166disclosures a brassier, which is fitted with individual temperaturesensors that monitor skin temperature constantly at correspondingpoints. Specific changes to the skin temperature indicate the existenceof mammary carcinomas.

A second group of thermographic methods include those using platethermography, such as in the apparatus disclosed by German Patent D.E.83 26 341 U1. A thermographic plate is pressed onto the female breast,and as a function of temperature, a thermographic coating on the plateassumes different colors. This method renders patterns of vesselsoptically visible in a thermographic manner, with certain vesselpatterns revealing higher levels of heat than other areas. Specificstructures or features indicate abnormal changes. The actual diagnosticmethod of plate thermography is described in greater detail in “Atlasder Plattenthermographie” by G. Lauth and G. Mühlberger. This atlasgives an introduction to physicians inexperienced in plate thermography.However, plate thermography is limited in that successful use requiresan experienced and skilled physician. The technique is prone to highrates of error, especially when utilized by an inexperienced physician.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the invention, an apparatus facilitates diagnosis ofpathological changes in the female breast using the surprising discoverythat, by cooling a thermooptical foil for predetermined duration andthen illuminating and recording a thermooptical image of the foil, it ispossible to standardize thermooptical images to similar and reproduciblerecording conditions to permit easy and more reliable diagnosis ofpathological changes.

The invention records a thermooptical image of the female breast using athermooptical foil positioned on a frame, the foil being cooled to astandardized and constant temperature. The thermooptical foil ispositioned adjacent a casing that is opaque except for the side facingthe breast, and a cooling box is positioned between the casing and foil.The foil is also positioned to contact the breast, and a timer measuresa presettable amount of time that passes after the cooling box begins tocool the foil. The cooling box causes a constant temperature to beestablished throughout the thermooptical foil, allowing for standardizedand reproducible recording conditions. An illuminating systemilluminates the thermooptical foil from within the casing and a digitalcamera is used to record image data from the illuminated foil forevaluation and diagnosis. A triggering mechanism is used to operate thedigital camera so that the camera makes its photographic recording ofthe breast at the end of the presettable amount of time that passesafter the cooling box begins to cool the foil.

To effect cooling of the thermooptical foil, the cooling box can use acooling medium fluid such as water supplied by a cooling medium circuit.The cooling medium circuit includes a cooling medium inlet and a coolingmedium outlet, with an adjustable thermostat being used to measure theamount of cooling performed and being responsive to the temperature ofthe cooling medium. The cooling box can be transparent and anantireflection disk can also be positioned between the cooling box anddigital camera.

The foil can have an initial position in which it is not in contact withthe cooling box. Pins, springs, or other devices can be included topermit surface contact between the foil and cooling box, and a lockingdevice can be included to fix the foil in place after making contactwith the cooling box. A clamping device can also be included in theapparatus for clamping the breast against the foil. In some embodiments,a pad can be used in the clamping device to press the breast against thefoil and can be variably spaced from the foil.

In some embodiments, the casing, cooling box, and foil can all bemounted on a multi-articulation arm to permit positioning of apparatuscomponents with respect to the patient being examined. Themulti-articulation arm can be mounted on an instrument trolley to permiteasy handling of the casing and easy transportation of the apparatus.

Some embodiments of the invention include a monitor screen connected tothe digital camera to permit the observation of images as they areviewed through the camera. A computer and keyboard can also be includedto operate the triggering mechanism and manipulate image data recordedby the digital camera. Various other types of output devices, such asprinters and various facilities for storing digital images recorded bythe camera, such as diskette and CD-ROM devices, can also be included.

In some embodiments, image evaluating devices connected to the digitalcamera can permit automatic evaluation of information contained in therecorded image for the existence of a pathological change or forfeatures characteristic of mammary carcinomas. An image evaluatingdevice can also be configured to compare recorded images with earlierimages of the same breast or with reference images. In some embodiments,the monitor screen can be subdivided into two windows, one window beingused for displaying the present image and the other window being usedfor displaying an earlier image of the same breast or a reference image.

Those skilled in the art will realize that this invention is capable ofembodiments which are different from those shown in that the details ofthe structure of the recording apparatus disclosed herein can be changedin various manners without departing from the scope of this invention.Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and are not to restrict the scope of theinvention. Additionally, the claims are to be regarded as including suchequivalent recording apparatuses as do not depart from the nature andscope of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding and appreciation of this invention andmany of its advantages, reference will be made to the following DetailedDescription of the Preferred Embodiments taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of part of one embodiment of anapparatus for recording a thermooptical image of the female breastaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is another part of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 diagrammatically represents the combined apparatus including thecomponents depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 as used on a patient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, identical reference numerals and lettersdesignate the same or corresponding parts throughout the several figuresshown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 diagrammatically depicts a side view of part of a specialembodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. The apparatuscomprises a casing 4 which, for standardizing the thermooptical images,is opaque except on the side facing the breast where a frame 9 ismounted. This configuration permits image recording to be free fromexternal reflections. A film or thermooptical foil 1 is positioned onthe frame 9. A cooler or transparent cooling box 7 and an antireflectiondisk 6 are placed between the foil 1 and casing 4, with theantireflection disk 6 being placed closer toward the interior of thecasing 4 and forming the interior wall of the cooling box 7. The foil 1can be stretched over the narrow frame 9 and be biased to a relaxedstate position (as shown in FIG. 1) that is two to three centimeters infront of a front wall 8 of the cooling box 7. The quadrangular frame 9is held in the four corners of the casing 4 by steel pins 10 and thespacing of the foil 1 from the front wall of the cooling box 7 ismaintained by four springs 11. The springs 11 are inverted over the pins10 and in the relaxed state are sufficiently long to hold the foil 1 atthe relaxed state position away from the front wall 8 of the cooling box7. The springs 11 and frame 9 are configured so that sufficient spacingexists between the foil 1 and casing 4 to permit adjustments andcorrections to the position of the foil 1 after the breast is placedagainst the foil 1 without creating surface contact between the foil 1and the front wall 8 of the cooling box 7.

The cooling box 7 has a cooling medium inlet 12 a and a cooling mediumoutlet 12 b connecting the cooling box 7 in a circuit with a thermostat17 by means of hose lines 12 c (cf. FIG. 2). The cooling medium can be afluid such as water. Continuous water circulation through the coolingmedium inlet 12 a and cooling medium outlet 12 b and constant watertemperature ensure the constancy of the temperature of the foil 1. Basedon the thermal sensitivity of the foil 1, the set cooling should alwaysbe constant. Some embodiments of the invention can allow the operator ofthe apparatus to perform manual, computer-controlled adjustment of thedegree of cooling by the cooling medium, the operator issuing controlcommands to a computer 3 (cf. FIG. 2) through keyboard 13 (cf. FIG. 2).

A digital camera 2 is positioned inside the casing 4, the digital camera2 being positioned to record images in the direction of the frame 9. Anilluminating system comprises two lamps 5 for illuminating the foil 1,the lamps 5 of the illuminating system being oriented to optimize therecordings of the digital camera 2. In addition, the illuminationprovided by the lamps 5 contributes to the creation of standardizedrecording conditions.

A clamping mechanism that includes a pad 14 and mounting support 15 ismounted on the apparatus to gently clamp the breast against the foil 1.As shown in FIG. 1, the mounting support 15 defines a horizontal planein which the spacing between the pad 14 and foil 1 can be varied bymoving the pad 14 along the horizontal plane toward and away from thefoil 1. Varying the spacing between the pad 14 and foil 1 enables thebreast to be pressed gently but firmly against the foil 1 which furtherassists in the creation of standardized recording conditions.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically depicts another part of the apparatus of FIG. 1.A thermostat 17, a computer 3 with a keyboard 13 and a screen 16 arelocated in an instrument trolley 19. Referring briefly to FIG. 3, amulti-articulation arm 18 is mounted on the trolley 19, themulti-articulation arm 18 supporting the casing 4 and being extendableto orient the casing 4 into various mobile positions. Some embodimentspermit the multi-articulation arm 18 to be locked in order to orient thecasing in a fixed position relative to the patient. Themulti-articulation arm 18 can also be hollow in order to accommodatepower, communication, hosing, and other supply lines to the digitalcamera 2, cooling box 7, and components of the illuminating system 5.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the connected casing 4 and trolley 19 arerepresented, the cooling box 7, foil 1, and pad 14 being depicted in anexploded view with the foil 1 being rotated approximately 90° for thepurpose of further functional description. The placement of thethermooptical foil 1 on the female breast results in a heat pattern,represented by different colors corresponding to the areal thermalstates of the skin, to appear on the foil 1. This thermal pattern isreversible after the foil 1 has been removed from the breast. Coolingthe foil 1 has the effect of minimizing coloration of the foil 1, withcolor patterns becoming more sharply contoured and with contrast to theblack background being improved. Cooling the foil has the added effectof reducing the effect that surface or “skin heat” has on the foilcoloration, the foil coloration instead displaying and representingpeaks of heat dissipated from more low-lying heat sources deep beneaththe surface of the breast.

In the operation of the recording apparatus, recording positionscorrespond to those for mammography, but with the difference that in thecase of breasts of normal size, two lateral and two craniocaudalexposures are made for each breast. The reason for this difference isthat in “vascugraphy” emitted heat is measured and greater accuracy canbe obtained in results by measuring from both sides. After the breastand foil 1 come into contact, the breast is held with the soft pad 14which the patient can position herself. This is advantageous in that ittends to avoid discomfort associated with the squeezing examination thatpatients often experience during mammography.

The duration of time in which the foil is cooled is also significant andmust be defined and measured in order to establish standardizedrecording conditions during the cooling process. For example, coolingtime can be measured from the instant when the foil 1 is gently pressedcounter to the tension of springs 10 on a cooling box 7 and when alocking means (not shown) snaps into a locked position accordingly. Atthat time, a timing system (not shown) begins to measure the amount oftime that passes as the cooling process continues. At the end of apresettable amount of time, the timing system operates a triggeringmechanism (not shown) which is used to operate the digital camera 2 toshoot or record the image on the thermooptical foil 1. After completionof the image recording, the pad 14 can be returned to its initial,pre-clamping position to release pressure against the breast. In someembodiments, the releasing action can be provided mechanically with agas spring pressure mechanism (not shown) incorporated into the mountingsupport 15. Recording conditions can therefore be standardized byreproducing conditions or “settings” such as the cooling temperature andduration of the cooling period.

During recording or shooting of the thermooptical image by the digitalcamera 2, all settings can be monitored on the monitor screen 16. Themonitor screen further displays all image data being recorded by thedigital camera 2. The dimensions of the foil 1 correspond to those of amammographic film with a size, for example, of 18×24 centimeters. Onreplacing the foil 1 by a finished mammographic image (e.g. a positivecase) and homogeneous transillumination of the film from the outside inthe direction of the digital camera 2, it is possible to obtain asimple, inexpensive form of digitized storage of the mammogram for theparticular patient. The congruent superimposing of the thermal image andthe mammogram on the screen can provide valuable information to thediagnosing doctor. The thermooptical image recorded by the digitalcamera 2 can then be transferred to the computer 3, where an imageevaluation facility can perform an automatic evaluation of the image byutilizing appropriate software. Other types of output devices forstoring digital images recorded by the digital camera 16 are alsocontemplated to be within the scope of the invention and include but arenot limited to printed output devices, diskettes, and CD-ROM devices.

The invention can allow for automatic or electronic interpretation ofthermooptical images without necessarily requiring the interpretationskills of an examining physician. Pathological changes can be detectedby comparing the thermographically obtained vascular pattern and shapeof the patient's vessels with reference data, as is particularlyappropriate during the initial examinations of a particular patient.However, if previous recordings or exposures exist, it is also possibleto carry out a comparison of the current recorded image with one or moreimages recorded previously. The invention may include a facility fordisplaying a current recorded image next to a previous recorded image ina split-window fashion. Changes in the thermooptical image may indicatechanges in the vascular pattern of the breast which in turn may indicatea pathological change warranting further investigation with another moreintrusive diagnostic technique such as a biopsy.

Many other modifications and changes can be made to the recording deviceof this invention by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of this invention. Thus, the claims when appended areintended to be interpreted to cover such equivalent recordingapparatuses as do not depart from the spirit and scope of thisinvention.

1. An apparatus for recording a thermooptical image of a female breaston a thermooptical foil comprising: a casing having a non-opaque side,said non-opaque side being positioned to face a location for the breastwhen the thermooptical image is recorded; a thermooptical foil forproducing a thermooptical image of the breast having at least first andsecond surfaces and being positioned between said casing and thelocation for the breast, said first surface of said thermooptical foilfacing said non-opaque side of said casing, said second surface of saidthermooptical foil being positioned to contact the breast; a transparentcooling apparatus which can contact and cool said thermooptical foil toa constant temperature for a presettable amount of time when saidthermooptical foil is in contact with the breast; and a camera mountedto record from within said casing the thermooptical image of the foilagainst the breast at the end of the presettable amount of time.
 2. Theapparatus for recording a thermooptical image of a female breast ofclaim 1 further comprising an illuminating system for illuminating saidthermooptical foil within said casing.
 3. The apparatus for recording athermooptical image of a female breast of claim 1, said coolingapparatus being configured to cool said thermooptical foil to a constanttemperature to allow for standardized and reproducible recordingconditions.
 4. An apparatus for recording a thermooptical image of afemale breast comprising: a casing having at least one opaque side and anon-opaque side, said non-opaque side being positioned to face alocation for the breast when the image is recorded; a thermooptical foilfor producing a thermooptical image of the breast having at least firstand second surfaces and being positioned on a frame located between saidcasing and the location for the breast, said first surface of saidthermooptical foil facing said non-opaque side of said casing, saidsecond surface of said thermooptical foil being positioned to contactthe breast; a cooling box mounted adjacent said first surface of saidthermooptical foil for cooling said thermooptical foil to a standardtemperature at a time when said thermooptical foil contacts the breast;a timer for measuring a presettable amount of time that passes aftersaid thermooptical foil begins to be cooled by said cooling box; anilluminating system for illuminating said thermooptical foil within saidcasing; and a digital camera positioned to record the thermoopticalimage of the breast on said thermooptical foil from within said casingafter the presettable amount of time passes.
 5. The apparatus forrecording a thermooptical image of claim 4 further comprising a coolingmedium circuit for providing a cooling medium to effect cooling of saidcooling box, said cooling medium circuit comprising: a cooling mediuminlet for supplying said cooling medium to said cooling box; a coolingmedium outlet for removing said cooling medium from said cooling box;and a thermostat for measuring the amount of cooling performed by saidcooling medium circuit, said thermostat being responsive with respect tothe temperature of said cooling medium.
 6. The apparatus for recording athermooptical image of claim 4 further comprising an antireflection diskpositioned between said thermooptical foil and said digital camera. 7.The apparatus for recording a thermooptical image of claim 4, saidthermooptical foil having a relaxed position, said thermooptical foildoes not come into contact with said cooling box when in the relaxedposition.
 8. The apparatus for recording a thermooptical image of claim4, said frame having a relaxed position and being springingly connectedto said casing with at least one mounting device, each said at least onemounting device comprising: a steel pin extending from said frame tosaid casing; and a spring having an unloaded condition and an unloadedlength and being inverted over said steel pin, said spring extendingfrom said frame to said casing, wherein said spring assumes saidunloaded length when assuming said unloaded condition, said unloadedlength of said spring being sufficient to maintain a spacial clearancebetween said cooling box and said thermooptical foil.
 9. The apparatusfor recording a thermooptical image of claim 8, compression of each saidspring permits said frame to assume a non-relaxed position and furtherpermits contact between said thermooptical foil and said cooling box.10. The apparatus for recording a thermooptical image of claim 4 furthercomprising a clamping device having a pad for pressing the breastagainst said thermooptical foil.
 11. The apparatus for recording athermooptical image of claim 4 further comprising a clamping device forclamping the breast against said thermooptical foil, said clampingdevice comprising: a pad for pressing the breast against saidthermooptical foil; and a mounting support for providing support forsaid pad and for providing pressure for said pad against said breast.12. The apparatus for recording a thermooptical image of claim 4 furthercomprising a clamping device comprising: a pad for pressing the breastagainst said thermooptical foil; and a mounting support connected tosaid casing, said mounting support extending parallel to said frame forproviding support for said pad, the spacing between said pad and saidthermooptical foil being variable.
 13. The apparatus for recording athermooptical image of claim 4 having a clamping device comprising: apad for pressing the breast against said thermooptical foil, said padhaving a major planar pressing surface; and a mounting support having amajor horizontal dimension and being connected to said casing, saidmounting support providing support for said pad, the spacing betweensaid pad and said thermooptical foil being variable, said major planarpressing surface of said pad positioned at about a right angle to saidmajor horizontal dimension of said mounting support.
 14. The apparatusfor recording a thermooptical image of claim 4 further comprising: saidframe having a relaxed position, a substantially quadrangular shape,first, second, third and fourth corners, and being springingly connectedto said casing with one steel pin in each said corner of said frame,each said steel pin extending from said frame to said casing; each saidsteel pin having a spring, each said spring having an unloaded conditionand an unloaded length and being inverted over said pin, each saidspring extending from said frame to said casing wherein said springassumes said unloaded length when assuming said unloaded condition, saidunloaded length of said spring being sufficient to maintain a spacialclearance between said cooling box and said thermooptical foil.
 15. Theapparatus for recording a thermooptical image of claim 14, compressionof said springs permits said frame to assume a non-relaxed position andfurther permits contact between said thermooptical foil and said coolingbox.
 16. The apparatus for recording a thermooptical image of claim 4,said casing being positioned on a multi-articulation arm to permitvariable positioning of said casing.
 17. The apparatus for recording athermooptical image of claim 4, said casing being positioned on amulti-articulation arm mounted on an instrument trolley to permitvariable positioning of said casing with respect to said instrumenttrolley.
 18. The apparatus for recording a thermooptical image of claim4 further comprising a monitor screen connected to said digital camerafor monitoring images recorded with said digital camera.
 19. Theapparatus for recording a thermooptical image of claim 4 furthercomprising a computer for processing images collected with said digitalcamera.
 20. The apparatus for recording a thermooptical image of claim 4further comprising a computer for operating said apparatus and forprocessing information collected with said digital camera.
 21. Theapparatus for recording a thermooptical image of claim 4 furthercomprising an information storage medium for storing digital imagesrecorded with said digital camera.
 22. The apparatus for recording athermooptical image of claim 4 further comprising printer output devicefor producing digital images recorded with said digital camera in aprinted format.
 23. The apparatus for recording a thermooptical image ofclaim 4 further comprising an image evaluating device connected to saiddigital camera for automatic evaluation of information contained inimages recorded with said digital camera in response to pathologicalchanges.
 24. The apparatus for recording a thermooptical image of claim4 further comprising an image evaluating device connected to saiddigital camera for comparing information contained in images recordedwith said digital camera to reference images.
 25. The apparatus forrecording a thermooptical image of claim 4 further comprising an imageevaluating device connected to said digital camera for comparing animage recorded by said digital camera for structures or featurescharacteristic of mammary carcinomas.
 26. The apparatus for recording athermooptical image of claim 4 further comprising a monitor screen, saidmonitor screen being subdivided into first and second windows, saidfirst window configured to display the image recorded by said digitalcamera, said second image configured to display a reference image forcomparison to said first window.
 27. An apparatus for recording athermooptical image of a female breast comprising: a casing having atleast one opaque side and a non-opaque side, said non-opaque side beingpositioned to face a location for the breast when the image is recorded;a thermooptical foil for producing a thermooptical image of the breasthaving at least first and second surfaces and being positioned on aframe located between said casing and the location for the breast, saidfirst surface of said thermooptical foil facing said non-opaque side ofsaid casing, said second surface of said thermooptical foil beingpositioned to contact the breast; said frame having a relaxed position,a substantially quadrangular shape, first, second, third and fourthcorners, and being springingly connected to said casing with one steelpin in each said corner of said frame, each said steel pin extendingfrom said frame to said casing and having a spring, each said springhaving an unloaded condition and an unloaded length and being invertedover said pin, each said spring extending from said frame to said casingwherein said spring assumes said unloaded length; when assuming saidunloaded condition, said unloaded length of said spring being sufficientto maintain a spatial clearance between said cooling box and saidthermooptical foil, compression of said springs permits said frame toassume a nonrelaxed position and further permits contact between saidthermooptical foil and said cooling box; a clamping device for clampingthe breast against said thermooptical foil, said clamping device havinga pad for pressing the breast against said thermooptical foil and amounting support for providing support for said pad and for providingpressure for said pad against said breast; a cooling box mountedadjacent said first surface of said thermooptical foil for cooling saidthermooptical foil to a standard temperature at a time when saidthermooptical foil contacts the breast; a cooling medium circuit forproviding a cooling medium to effect cooling of said cooling box, saidcooling medium circuit having a cooling medium inlet for supplying saidcooling medium to said cooling box, a cooling medium outlet for removingsaid cooing medium from said cooling box, and a thermostat for measuringthe amount of cooling performed by said cooling medium circuit, saidthermostat being responsive to the temperature of said cooling medium; atimer for measuring a presettable amount of time that passes after saidthermooptical foil begins to be cooled by said cooling box; anilluminating system for illuminating said thermooptical foil within saidcasing; and a digital camera positioned to record the thermoopticalimage of the breast on said thermooptical foil from within said casingafter the presettable amount of time passes; and an antireflection diskpositioned between said thermooptical foil and said digital camera. 28.An apparatus for recording a thermooptical image of a female breastcomprising: a casing having at least one opaque side and a non-opaqueside, said non-opaque side being positioned to face a location for thebreast when the image is recorded, said casing being positioned on amulti-articulation arm mounted on an instrument trolley to permitvariable positioning of said casing with respect to said instrumenttrolley; a thermooptical foil for producing a thermooptical image of thebreast having at least first and second surfaces and being positioned ona frame located between said casing and the location for the breast,said first surface of said thermooptical foil facing said non-opaqueside of said casing, said second surface of said thermooptical foilbeing positioned to contact the breast; said frame having a relaxedposition, a substantially quadrangular shape, first, second, third andfourth corners, and being springingly connected to said casing with onesteel pin in each said corner of said frame, each said steel pinextending from said frame to said casing and having a spring, each saidspring having an unloaded condition and an unloaded length and beinginverted over said pin, each said spring extending from said frame tosaid casing wherein said spring assumes said unloaded length whenassuming said unloaded condition, said unloaded length of said springbeing sufficient to maintain a spacial clearance between said coolingbox and said thermooptical foil, compression of said springs permitssaid frame to assume a nonrelaxed position and further permits contactbetween said thermooptical foil and said cooling box; a clamping devicefor clamping the breast against said thermooptical foil, said clampingdevice having a pad for pressing the breast against said thermoopticalfoil and a mounting support for providing support for said pad and forproviding pressure for said pad against said breast; a cooling boxmounted adjacent said first surface of said thermooptical foil forcooling said thermooptical foil to a standard temperature at a time whensaid thermooptical foil contacts the breast; a cooling medium circuitfor providing a cooling medium to effect cooling of said cooling box,said cooling medium circuit having a cooling medium inlet for supplyingsaid cooling medium to said cooling box, a cooling medium outlet forremoving said cooing medium from said cooling box, and a thermostat formeasuring the amount of cooling performed by said cooling mediumcircuit, said thermostat being responsive to the temperature of saidcooling medium; a timer for measuring a presettable amount of time thatpasses after said thermooptical foil begins to be cooled by said coolingbox; an illuminating system for illuminating said thermooptical foilwithin said casing; and a digital camera positioned to record thethermooptical image of the breast on said thermooptical foil from withinsaid casing after the presettable amount of time passes; anantireflection disk positioned between said thermooptical foil and saiddigital camera; a monitor screen connected to said digital camera formonitoring images recorded with said digital camera; and a computer foroperating said apparatus and for processing information collected withsaid digital camera.
 29. A method of recording a thermooptical image ofa female breast on a thermooptical foil comprising: positioning thethermooptical foil against a breast; cooling the thermooptical foil to aconstant temperature for a presettable amount of time while thethermooptical foil is against the breast; and recording a thermoopticalimage of the foil against the breast at the end of the presettableamount of time.
 30. The method of claim 29 which includes recording thethermooptical image from within a casing which is opaque except for aside facing the thermooptical foil and illuminating the thermoopticalfoil at the time of recording the thermooptical image.
 31. The method ofclaim 29 in which the thermooptical image recorded is examined forpathological changes in the breast.
 32. The method of claim 29 in whichthe thermooptical image recorded is compared to a previously recordedthermooptical image for comparison and evaluation of pathologicalchanges.